History VideoGame / DigitalCombatSimulator

The game started as the ''Lock On: Modern Air Combat'' series in 2003 and a standalone Ka-50 "Black Shark" module in 2008, but was re-titled by 2011 with the release of the A-10C module, a (slightly) modified version of Eagle Dynamics' official A-10C training simulation for the US military. Eagle Dynamics updated the previous releases to be interoperable with the A-10 module to allow for a unified gaming experience.

* AllThereInTheManual: With each plane, DCS publishes a manual that describes weapons systems, operational modes, theoretical training, checklists, radio communication, and a primer on the plane's history of development. Manuals of simpler aircraft tend to reach about 150 pages, where as for more complex aircraft it reaches around whopping 700 pages.

** SAM sites on difficulty settings below Ace keep their radars on all the time. The Ace difficulty averts this by track radars shutting down briefly, although later on it will last. In real life, SAM operators never leave their radars on for more than a minute, as it provides radiation for air-to-ground weapons like the AGM-88C HARM to lock on to. More modern [=SAMs=], such as S-300PS and SA-15 "Gauntlet", can intercept such weapons.

* UsefulNotes/ChineseWithChopperSupport: DCS models the PLAAF's Shenyang J-11A, an improved version of the original licensed variant of the Russian Su-27SK.

* ClassifiedInformation: The bane of DCS fans and one of the driving reasons that no full fidelity modern Russian or PLAAF aircraft are in DCS yet.
* CrackIsCheaper: The free base game comes with two high-fidelity planes: the Sukhoi Su-25T Frogfoot, a ground attack plane, and the TF-51D Mustang, an unarmed training variant of the famous P-51D Mustang. If you want all high-fidelity and low-fidelity aircraft plus maps and a supercarrier, be prepared to shell out more than ''$1000'' for the full array. And that's not getting into the cost of HOTAS and [[VirtualRealityIndex VR]]/[=TrackIR=] equipment to make flying that much easier. This is mitigated by the fact Eagle Dynamics offers sales quite often and free mods that are on par with full fidelity modules, such as A-4 Skyhawk.

* UsefulNotes/GaulsWithGrenades: Includes one French-made aircraft, the Mirage 2000C, with upcoming Mirage F1.

* UsefulNotes/RussiansWithRustingRockets: DCS models several Russian aircraft in varying degrees of fidelity, including the Su-25 (A and T variants) close air support jet plane, several [=MiG=] variants such as the [=MiG=]-29A and [=MiG=]-29S, and the Su-27 and Su-33 fighters. DCS also includes a model of the[[CoolShip Admiral Kuznetsov]] for the carrier-based Su-33 to take off from.

* ShortRangeLongRangeWeapon: Averted by all weapons: The short-range AIM-9 variants can hit enemy planes from 22 miles out - their real life range. The longer range missiles, like the R-27ER with its range of 130km, can hit planes from beyond-visual-range (BVR). The most you'll see of your opponent in this case is their signature on the radar, as the distance will be too great to even see a puff of smoke after impact.

* UsefulNotes/YanksWithTanks: DCS includes full-fidelity models of the AV-8B Night Attack V/STOL, F/A-18C Hornet, the A-10C Warthog, the F-5E Tiger II which famously appeared as the "[=MiG=]-28" in Film/TopGun, , the F-14 Tomcat, and several other planes from various eras. Low fidelity modules, all united under Flaming Cliffs 3 pack, are included as well, offering a flight performance just like full fidelity ones, although their systems are majorly simplified. [[UsefulNotes/TypesOfNavalShips Family of Nimitz class nuclear carriers]] has also been added to the game, which provide more extensive simulation of carrier operations than the initial base mode of Stennis did.

Current aircraft in the series include a multitude of planes and helicopters ranging from [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarII WWII]] to near present day (though the canonical time period is the [[ColdWar late 1980's]]). The range is constantly expanding as more third party developers gain experience and Eagle Dynamics focuses more on the 2.0 build. The rate of releases has gone up, 39 different aircraft and aircraft variants, plus a number of assorted ground vehicles, are available for purchase.

Currently the latest version is ''DCS World 2.7'', available on Steam. There's also an Open Beta version of it, which includes features that are ahead of Stable version.

** SAM sites on difficulty settings below Ace keep their radars on all the time. The Ace difficulty averts this by track radars shutting down briefly, although later on it will last. In real life, SAM operators never leave their radars on for more than a minute, as it provides radiation for weapons like AGM-88C HARM. More modern [=SAMs=], such as S-300PS and SA-15 "Gauntlet", can intercept such weapons.

* CoolPlane: Samples include the venerable A-10C, P-51D, Mirage 2000C, and [=MiG=]-21. More aircraft are constantly under development. DCS is also no stranger to helicopters as well, with famous UH-1H Huey and Mi-24P Hind also flyable in the game.

* CrackIsCheaper: The free base game comes with two high-fidelity planes: the Sukhoi Su-25T Frogfoot, a ground attack plane, and the TF-51D Mustang, an unarmed training variant of the famous P-51D Mustang. If you want all high-fidelity and low-fidelity aircraft plus maps and a supercarrier, be prepared to shell out more than ''$1000'' for the full array. And that's not getting into the cost of HOTAS and [[VirtualRealityIndex VR]]/[=TrackIR=] equipment to make flying that much easier. This is migitated by the fact Eagle Dynamics offers sales quite often and free mods that are on par with full fidelity modules, such as A-4 Skyhawk.

* DodgeByBraking: You can do the usual assortment of speed-bleeding moves when in close quarters with your opponent, but the Pugachev's Cobra variant is only possible in the super-maneuverable Su-27 and Su-33. It's also strongly cautioned against unless the opponent is very close and relying on guns otherwise you'll just be giving up energy and presenting the top of your plane as a target.

** The compressor stall. Particularly noticeable in AJS-37 Viggen and F-14A Tomcat (which had notoriously accident prone TF30 engines).
* ItWillNeverCatchOn: In an interview, one of the Eagle Dynamics staff members commented that flyable bombers and transport aircraft weren't being looked at as they felt that few people, if any, would actually fly them. Fast forward a few months, and a team of talented people put together a C-130J Super Hercules, which quickly gains popularity, and now populates multiple servers as a flyable option. As a result, other teams are fast at work trying to make similar aircraft (by role) as mods.

** To a slightly lesser extent the F-14 and its [=AIM54=] Phoenix also applies. The Tomcat in the real world can track 24 targets and engage up to 6 at once. While the Phoenix is not as good a missile against fighters due to it's lower maneuverability compared to the [=AMRAAM=], it's 90+ mile range, long burn time, and variable timed 'Pitbull' settings allow for a very lethal missile if the pilot and [[GuyInBack RIO]] know what they're doing.
** Surface to Air Missiles, along with naval vessels, can also provide quite a fireworks show. Special mention has to go to Admiral Kuznetsov heavy aircraft cruisers, which packs a whopping 192 of 3K95 Kinzhal [=SAMs=] (a naval equivalent of SA-15 Gauntlet).

Current aircraft in the series include a multitude of planes and helicopters ranging from [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarII WWII]] to near present day (though the canonical time period is the [[ColdWar late 1980's]]). The range is constantly expanding as more third party developers gain experience and Eagle Dynamics focuses more on the 2.0 build. The rate of releases has gone up, 39 different aircraft and aircraft variants, plus a number of assorted ground vehicles, are available for purchase.

Currently the latest version is ''DCS World 2.7'', available on Steam. There's also an Open Beta version of it, which includes features that are ahead of Stable version.

** SAM sites on difficulty settings below Ace keep their radars on all the time. The Ace difficulty averts this by track radars shutting down briefly, although later on it will last. In real life, SAM operators never leave their radars on for more than a minute, as it provides radiation for weapons like AGM-88C HARM. More modern [=SAMs=], such as S-300PS and SA-15 "Gauntlet", can intercept such weapons.

* CoolPlane: Samples include the venerable A-10C, P-51D, Mirage 2000C, and [=MiG=]-21. More aircraft are constantly under development. DCS is also no stranger to helicopters as well, with famous UH-1H Huey and Mi-24P Hind also flyable in the game.

* CrackIsCheaper: The free base game comes with two high-fidelity planes: the Sukhoi Su-25T Frogfoot, a ground attack plane, and the TF-51D Mustang, an unarmed training variant of the famous P-51D Mustang. If you want all high-fidelity and low-fidelity aircraft plus maps and a supercarrier, be prepared to shell out more than ''$1000'' for the full array. And that's not getting into the cost of HOTAS and [[VirtualRealityIndex VR]]/[=TrackIR=] equipment to make flying that much easier. This is migitated by the fact Eagle Dynamics offers sales quite often and free mods that are on par with full fidelity modules, such as A-4 Skyhawk.

* DodgeByBraking: You can do the usual assortment of speed-bleeding moves when in close quarters with your opponent, but the Pugachev's Cobra variant is only possible in the super-maneuverable Su-27 and Su-33. It's also strongly cautioned against unless the opponent is very close and relying on guns otherwise you'll just be giving up energy and presenting the top of your plane as a target.

** The compressor stall. Particularly noticeable in AJS-37 Viggen and F-14A Tomcat (which had notoriously accident prone TF30 engines).
* ItWillNeverCatchOn: In an interview, one of the Eagle Dynamics staff members commented that flyable bombers and transport aircraft weren't being looked at as they felt that few people, if any, would actually fly them. Fast forward a few months, and a team of talented people put together a C-130J Super Hercules, which quickly gains popularity, and now populates multiple servers as a flyable option. As a result, other teams are fast at work trying to make similar aircraft (by role) as mods.

** To a slightly lesser extent the F-14 and its [=AIM54=] Phoenix also applies. The Tomcat in the real world can track 24 targets and engage up to 6 at once. While the Phoenix is not as good a missile against fighters due to it's lower maneuverability compared to the [=AMRAAM=], it's 90+ mile range, long burn time, and variable timed 'Pitbull' settings allow for a very lethal missile if the pilot and [[GuyInBack RIO]] know what they're doing.
** Surface to Air Missiles, along with naval vessels, can also provide quite a fireworks show. Special mention has to go to Admiral Kuznetsov heavy aircraft cruisers, which packs a whopping 192 of 3K95 Kinzhal [=SAMs=] (a naval equivalent of SA-15 Gauntlet).

* ObviousBeta: All of the more modern aircraft are constantly being fixed and improved, some more than others. The F-16C Fighting Falcon in particular was notorious for launching without many features that other early access planes, like the F-14, had - such as IFF, external lights, a damage model, and several weapons systems. This was later negated by updates through out its Early Access life, where as a lot of features

** Surface to Air Missiles, along with naval vessels, can also provide quite a fireworks show. Special mention has to go to Admiral Kuznetsov heavy aircraft cruisers, which packs a whopping 192 of 3K95 Kinzhal SAMs (a naval equivalent of SA-15 Gauntlet).

** SAM sites on difficulty settings below Ace keep their radars on all the time. The Ace difficulty averts this by track radars shutting down briefly, although later on it will last. In real life, SAM operators never leave their radars on for more than a minute, as it provides radiation for weapons like AGM-88C HARM. More modern SAMs, such as S-300PS and SA-15 "Gauntlet", can intercept such weapons.

* RareVehicles: The Su-25T. While the basic air frame is fairly common, the 'T' model only had 3 prototypes and 8 production aircraft built. Ergo, if you see three flights of Su-25Ts on a server or in a mission, that will be more than were actually produced in the real world.
** Although not as much compared to entry above, the Su-33 Flanker D can be considered a rare vehicle. Approximately 35 of them were made, with some lost in accidents.
** Speaking of the Kuznetsov, if you were to see more than two in a mission, the third or more will likely be built by the Chinese, and somehow painted to look Russian. Technically, if you see two of them, the second would have to be the ''Varyag'', which was sold to China and completed, and re-named the ''Liaoning''. A third was built by China, and named ''Shandong''.

The game started as the ''Lock On: Modern Air Combat'' series in 2003 and a standalone Ka-50 "[[AwesomeMcCoolName Black Shark]]" module in 2008, but was re-titled by 2011 with the release of the A-10C module, a (slightly) modified version of Eagle Dynamics' official A-10C training simulation for the US military. Eagle Dynamics updated the previous releases to be interoperable with the A-10 module to allow for a unified gaming experience.